Relationship between small ruminants behaviour and landscape features in Northeast of Portugal
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abstract
The small ruminant production system in Northeastern Portugal is an extensive activity based on the
exploitation of spontaneous resources. The shepherds direct their flocks on daily grazing itineraries over
different land use types. These circuits differ hugely throughout the year in organization and duration. The
places visited and time spent in each land use type depend on the environmental conditions and needs of the
animals. Four flocks (two of goat and two of sheep) were monitored monthly for a year. Each flock was
observed for a complete day by an operator using a hand held GPS. Data collected consists of geographical
position and type of land use crossed, plus some variables of territory such as slope, altitude and air
temperature. Also, animal behaviour was monitored. Behavioural activities (grazing, browsing, resting and
walking) and the grazed species were noted every 15 minutes by direct observation (instantly recorded). The
corrected frequencies approach was used for the data analysis. The principal aims were to examine the
relationship between animal behaviour and land use types, and to check how it changes throughout the year
and the time of day (temperature effect and vegetation moisture). Our results suggested a strong relationship
between land use types and behavioural activities.
The small ruminant production systems in Northeastern Portugal are mainly based on the
extensive exploitation of the spontaneous plant production. The shepherds direct their flocks on
daily grazing itineraries across different patches of land use.
Sheep and goats flocks were monitored monthly for a year. Data collected consists of
geographical position and the type of land use crossed. Also, essential livestock activities were
monitored.
The corrected frequencies (preference indexes) approach was used for the data analysis.
The principal aims were to examine the relationships between livestock behaviour and land use
types, and to check how they change throughout the year and the time of day. Our results
showed a strong dependence between land use types and livestock activities and suggested a
considerable coherence between human management, the spontaneous behaviour and
physiological needs of animals and the agroecosystems capacity to supply the livestock needs.
In Northeast Portugal, most small ruminant production is an extensive activity based on grazing itineraries. The shepherds direct their flocks on daily grazing itineraries across different patches of landuse.
The study of livestock activities permits understanding the animal’s perception of landscape. Animal activities (grazing, resting and walking) were also affected by landscape attributes.
The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between livestock behavior and landuse types, and to check how they change throughout the year and the time of day (temperature and vegetation moisture effect).
Having an understanding of animal landscape use could help to develop strategies to better management the landscapes and its temporal changes.
